Alaska Admin. Code tit. 20, § 17.020 – Application for authorization to operate

(a) A person or entity that wishes to operate a postsecondary educational institution in the state, and that does not meet the exemption criteria set out in 20 AAC 17.015(a), must apply to the commission for authorization, using an application provided by the commission.
(b) The complete application, including the fee required by 20 AAC 17.055(a), evidence of bonding, cash deposit, or other security required by 20 AAC 17.045, and all required forms and documents, must be received by the commission at least 90 days before the next scheduled commission meeting.
(c) Upon receipt of the required application, materials, and fees, the commission staff shall review the submittal for compliance with AS 14.48 and this chapter. The commission staff shall notify the applicant of any deficiencies and shall establish a deadline for receipt of any additional materials.
(d) The commission staff may assess a late fee, in accordance with 20 AAC 17.055(a), if an institution fails to provide the information necessary to complete an application on or before the deadline set by the commission staff. An incomplete application may be deferred to the next regularly scheduled commission meeting.
(e) The commission staff shall establish a date for on-site evaluation during the application period.
(f) The commission will approve, approve with conditions, deny, or grant a continuation period to provide additional supporting documentation for an incomplete application. The initial authorization period may not exceed 18 months.
(g) In its review of the content of education programs and curricula of a religious nature, the commission will not address the merits of the religious teachings.
(h) In order to determine academic soundness, the commission may engage one or more third-party experts in each field for which the applicant is applying to instruct. The applicant shall bear the cost of the expert review and shall pay the cost before the commission considers the application.

(Eff. 12/30/77, Register 64; am 8/20/86, Register 99; am 3/16/91, Register 117; am 10/11/95, Register 136; am 8/26/98, Register 147; am 4/20/2000, Register 154; am 12/31/2005, Register 176; am 12/29/2010, Register 196; am 9/18/2022, Register 243)

Authority: AS 14.42.030, AS 14.48.050, AS 14.48.070, AS 14.48.090